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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1

Radios [time series]

1.42 million (1993 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

the Ministry of Communications and Informatics, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Internal Affairs oversee Lithuania's telecommunications; the national operator is Lietuvos Telomas; Internet is available domestic: local--three cellular service providers; NMT-450 and GSM standards provide services nationwide; 80% of customers are on the two GSM networks; 157,000 cellular customers; intercity--Lithuania is close to completing its fiber-optic backbone consisting of two small rings inside a larger ring international: Lithuania has international fiber-optic connectivity to Latvia, Poland, and an undersea fiber-optic cable to Sweden

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

1.08 million (1998)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Televisions [time series]

NA; note--93% of the population have TV, 30% have cable or satellite dish, and 16% own VCRs (1996)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture--products) [time series]

grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Lithuanian litas = 100 centas

Debt - external (Debt--external) [time series]

$NA

Economic aid (Economic aid--recipient) [time series]

$228.5 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy--overview) [time series]

Lithuania has benefited from its disciplined approach to market reform and its adherence to strict fiscal and monetary policies imposed by the IMF, measures that have helped constrain the growth of the money supply, reduce inflation to 5.1%, and support GDP growth of 6% in 1997 and 4.5% in 1998. Foreign direct investment and the privatization program maintained their momentum in 1998. However, the current account deficit has hovered around 8% to 10% of GDP annually since 1995--the result of greater demand for consumer goods and falling growth in exports. Reducing this deficit is the immediate economic challenge for 1999.

Electricity - consumption (Electricity--consumption) [time series]

9.58 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - exports (Electricity--exports) [time series]

5.23 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - imports (Electricity--imports) [time series]

300 million kWh (1996)

Electricity - production (Electricity--production) [time series]

14.51 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - production by source (Electricity--production by source) [time series]

fossil fuel: 9.65% hydro: 3.03% nuclear: 87.32% other: 0% (1996)

Exchange rates [time series]

litai per US$1--4.000 (fixed rate since 1 May 1994), 3.978 (1994), 4.344 (1993), 1.773 (1992)

Exports [time series]

$4.2 billion (f.o.b., 1998)

Exports - commodities (Exports--commodities) [time series]

machinery and equipment 19%, mineral products 16%, textiles 15%, chemicals 8%, foodstuffs 8% (1997)

Exports - partners (Exports--partners) [time series]

Russia 24%, Germany 11%, Belarus 10%, Latvia 9%, Ukraine 9% (1997)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity--$17.6 billion (1998 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP--composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 13% industry: 32% services: 55% (1997 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP--per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity?$4,900 (1998 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP--real growth rate) [time series]

4.5% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28% (1993)

Imports [time series]

$5.9 billion (f.o.b., 1998)

Imports - commodities (Imports--commodities) [time series]

machinery and equipment 30%, mineral products 18%, chemicals 9%, textiles 8%, foodstuffs (1997)

Imports - partners (Imports--partners) [time series]

Russia 24%, Germany 19%, Poland, Denmark, Finland (1997)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.7% (1998 est.)

Industries [time series]

metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5.1% (1998 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.8 million

Labor force - by occupation (Labor force--by occupation) [time series]

industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1997)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.7% (January 1998)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 65,200 sq km land: 65,200 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative (Area--comparative) [time series]

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate [time series]

transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers

Coastline [time series]

99 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapines/Kalnas 292 m

Environment - current issues (Environment--current issues) [time series]

contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases

International environmental agreements (Environment--international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geographic coordinates [time series]

56 00 N, 24 00 E

Irrigated land [time series]

430 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,273 km border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 35% permanent crops: 12% permanent pastures: 7% forests and woodland: 31% other: 15% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

peat

Terrain [time series]

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

44 regions (rajonai, singular--rajonas) and 11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*, Anyksciu Rajonas, Birstonas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Marijampoles Rajonas, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas, Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu Rajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininku Rajonas, Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Silutes Rajonas, Sirvintu Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traku Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas

Capital [time series]

Vilnius

Constitution [time series]

adopted 25 October 1992

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania conventional short form: Lithuania local long form: Lietuvos Respublika local short form: Lietuva former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Keith C. SMITH embassy: Akmenu 6, 2600 Vilnius mailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Stasys SAKALAUSKAS chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Valdas ADAMKUS (since 26 February 1998) head of government: Premier Gediminas VAGNORIUS (since 28 November 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the premier elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 and 5 January 1998 (next to be held NA 2003); premier appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament election results: Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of vote--Valdas ADAMKUS 50.37%, Arturas PAULAUSKAS 49.7%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Parliament; Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Parliament

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 October and 10 November 1996 (next to be held NA October 2000) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--TS 69, LKDP 15, LCS 15, LDDP 12, LSDP 10, DP 2, independents 12, others 6

National holiday [time series]

Statehood Day, 16 February (1918)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Christian Democratic Party or LKDP

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Lithuanian Future Forum

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures--dollar figure) [time series]

$181 million (1999)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures--percent of GDP) [time series]

1.5% (1999)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower--availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 906,687 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower--fit for military service) [time series]

males age 15-49: 713,436 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower--military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower--reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 26,168 (1999 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 20% (male 365,149; female 350,070) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,156,161; female 1,239,145) 65 years and over: 13% (male 160,963; female 313,478) (1999 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.52 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate [time series]

12.93 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Lithuanian 80.6%, Russian 8.7%, Polish 7%, Byelorussian 1.6%, other 2.1%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

14.71 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages [time series]

Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 68.96 years male: 62.91 years female: 75.31 years (1999 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98% (1989 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population [time series]

3,584,966 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.4% (1999 est.)

Religions [time series]

primarily Roman Catholic, others include Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, evangelical Christian Baptist, Islam, Judaism

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.45 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes--international) [time series]

ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Latvia (primary concern is oil exploration rights); 1997 border agreement with Russia not yet ratified

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western Europe and Scandinavia

Transportation

Airports [time series]

96 (1994 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports--with paved runways) [time series]

total: 25 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 14 (1994 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports--with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 71 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 63 (1994 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 68,161 km paved: 60,527 km (including 410 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,634 km (1997 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 316,616 GRT/353,683 DWT ships by type: cargo 26, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 3 (1998 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Kaunas, Klaipeda

Railways [time series]

total: 2,002 km broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)

Waterways [time series]

600 km perennially navigable